Startup Biz Hub Logo

Sign up for Newsletter

Restaurant Business

Small Business Ideas

Mobile Business Ideas
store feed

How to Open a Liquor Store

Opening a Liquor Store


Summary: Some of the fundamental requirements when it comes to opening a liquor store include: completing all paperwork, choosing what kind of store you want to set up (franchise, self-owned, or part of another store,) acquire a list of licensed liquor suppliers, and setting up security measures for your shop.

Liquor stores aren’t as easy to start like most other businesses.

Surprisingly, before you can even sell one bottle of liquor on your premises, you have to deal with cases upon cases of paperwork. Yes, paperwork – meaning you have to do lots of legwork on your own. If it is feasible, you need to retain the services of a lawyer to help you work out some fundamental issues of this business like contracts and zoning issues.

Like all things legal, you need to inquire about the all federal laws, state laws, city laws and county restrictions, not to mention zoning laws in your vicinity. A good lawyer can save you a lot of time and effort when deciphering these laws, and he can point you in the right direction should zoning issues about your liquor store become problematic. You need to find out also when you can actually sell liquor to your patrons. Different states, cities and counties have different restrictions as to the time any liquor store in their jurisdiction can sell their products. Non-compliance to the laws is considered a criminal offense.

If hiring a lawyer is not an option as of yet, then at the very least, you have to research all about liquor restrictions via the Internet before actually investing time and money into the venture. However, it should be stressed that hiring the service of a competent lawyer is really necessary when you are opening your own liquor store. If all systems seem to be working in your favor, you then must acquire your licenses and permits for your business – and these should be prominently displayed in your store at all times.

Your second option is choosing what kind of liquor store you actually want to set up. Establishing your own store under a name you have chosen for yourself is one option. Buying a franchise for an earlier established liquor store is another option. Setting up a part of a shop (say a small grocery store) with a few supplies of liquor is another option. Choosing from one of these three options is involves many things like budget, space and location, to name a few. One of the perks of buying a franchise is that the franchising office actually gives you a list of their liquor suppliers.

If however, you should decide to “wing it,” your next viable step is to get a list of suppliers for your liquor. This course of action also ends up with a pile of paperwork, and it would benefit you greatly to know all about alcohol beverage laws for retailers and licensee responsibilities. You cannot under any circumstance just buy liquor anywhere because there will periodic checks made by Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement Agency. You also need to keep receipts from your sales and other invoices should the agents or police ask for them during these checks. Non-compliance to the Agency and its representatives can be considered as a misdemeanor.

You also have to consider the safety of your store personnel and the security of your liquor store. Liquor stores are, without a doubt, one of the most targeted stores for crime – you need to consider with utmost care on how you are to protect your investment. Installing high-tech gadgetry and posting security personnel in and around your store are options you may want to enforce, but vigilance is always the key to thwarting those who are most likely to attempt a hold-up or outright thievery.

54 Responses to "How to Open a Liquor Store".

1. OSCAR C. on 4/20/2008

WOW THIS WAS REALLY IMFORMATIONAL THANKS

2. FRANK C. on 5/9/2008

Since the mid 80's liquor stores are near the bottom of the list for robberies. 70% of sales are debit/credit cards. Theft is another issue!

3. Rip Hamilton on 9/11/2008

Thanks great article

4. Aziz mohayya on 10/2/2008

How to open a liquor store

5. Luis Villanueva on 10/7/2008

very good but I was looking for more specifics.

6. sheniqua. g on 10/13/2008

i think this was very helpful but i was wondering if the laws in new york different from other places

7. marcelo on 10/14/2008

Thank you very helpful.

8. miguel on 10/15/2008

how do laws differ by states and how is that information available?

9. Ricky on 11/4/2008

Helpful article, but can you please suggest list of good lawyers who can advise us in best way! in Australia.

10. Elard on 11/11/2008

Could you please suggest list of good Lawyers in NYC? or someone has more info regarding open a liquor store in NYC? Thank you!

11. LIQUOR STORE OPENING on 12/14/2008

WANNA KNOW THE PROCEDURE AND THE VARIOUS LICENSES THAT NEEDS TO BE OBTAINED.

12. lamar b on 12/23/2008

This is great information for someone who is looking for the basics to get started. thanks

13. Andy on 1/2/2009

thank very helful.

14. Chuck D on 1/13/2009 6:46:21 PM

Thanks for the info, now I'm ready to get started.

15. MJ on 1/15/2009 10:05:48 PM

RUNNING A LIQUOR STORE IS HARD WORK....REMBER,THE MORE YOU BUY THE CHEAPER YOUR PRICES WILL BE.

16. Damian A D on 1/22/2009 4:45:25 PM

This was definitely on head of my personal thoughts on opening a liquor store I've all ready started the process.

17. Guest on 1/23/2009 7:30:32 PM

I am interested in starting a liquor store including wine from scratch, I found a location in a shopping center with a supermarket anchor, the market sells beer & wine. I have a source to buy a license, but after that I don't know whats up.

18. horten on 1/26/2009 5:01:03 PM

I would like to have a liquor store in the area of fort Lauderdale or Pompano Beach and will be happy to buy it or start it.

19. Cristina on 1/30/2009 7:34:09 AM

Q: Are the laws regarding opening a liquor store in New York different from that of other places?
- One thing is for sure: you would need a license to operate a liquor store. Regarding actual selling, yes. For example, sale of beer in grocery stores is allowed, whereas wine and distilled spirits are not. In some states, these are all allowed for sale in grocery stores. Find the State specific norms before putting everything in a business plan.

Q: Where can I obtain laws regarding operating a liquor business?
- Since the sale of alcoholic beverages is a heavily regulated activity throughout the country, states have agencies that regulate how businesses conduct their trade. In New York, there is the State Liquor Authority.

20. s.selvam on 1/30/2009 9:38:27 AM

it's very helpful information please advise me more.

21. Max Jonerli on 2/2/2009 6:54:28 PM

Before you open, make sure you have a good computerized cash register (pos system). A good one is about $3000 but you'll make it up in time with less inventory shrinkage, better employee management.

22. Noel Masih on 2/16/2009 11:16:24 PM

Thanks for giving me lot of information on "how to open liquor store".

23. audley powell on 2/22/2009 10:16:58 AM

my wife and i are considering into opening a liquor store and would like to know how we can go ahead by doing so.and what are the license do we need to obtain or manage this store.please contact me by email or call me on 07944996574 to let me know more. thank you

24. roland kao on 2/24/2009 8:24:52 AM

Could you hep me with information and process, to open a liquor store? Thanks.

25. Bertrand Antoine on 3/2/2009 1:24:50 PM

I need help with the process after acquiring liquor license in the state of Mississippi.

26. Guest on 4/5/2009 6:39:58 PM

I am doing research on how to start a liquor store could you kindly assist me with my research. Kind Regards

27. Renee on 4/9/2009 8:24:00 PM

My friend & I are looking at opening an Liquor store in a location that previously burned & the owner has chosen not to re-open. The location is FABULOUS & everything was re-built in the strip.

28. Abhishek on 4/13/2009 10:15:34 AM

anyone want a partner in NY, NJ, WASHINGTON DC NEIGHBORHOOD? email: bachelor_g_u_y@yahoo.com

29. JUDY on 4/18/2009 4:31:11 PM

CAN YOU INTRODUCE SOME LIQUOR STORE FOR SALE.

30. JUDY on 4/18/2009 4:35:03 PM

IF SOMEONE KNOWS ABOUT ANY LIQUOR STORE FOR SALE, JUST CALL ME 3475569560.EMAIL:WWW.JDYSHAO@YAHOO.COM

31. Soumik Dutta on 5/5/2009 9:32:54 PM

many many thanks for this information.

32. mookie wilson on 5/9/2009 7:10:34 PM

make sure you get a good point of sale system. these guys are pretty good, www.internationalpointofsale.com

33. deepak patel on 5/10/2009 12:43:25 PM

call me on 255-784-227755, my name is deepak patel. Any good established franchised liquor store in new york for sale, i am willing to buy, on condition of showing three years audited accounts. thanking you in advance

34. Boozei on 5/13/2009 11:33:28 AM

This is a great article to start with. I was wondering if you could post up some links to those relevant bodies to get all legworks done. Thanks!

35. Gary James on 5/27/2009 7:18:05 AM

I need a list of suppliers for spirits, wine and beer in the Jacksonville, FL area. Any help is appreciated.

36. Patrick dorisca on 6/5/2009 6:38:49 PM

I see that every one is asking for help which is the best thing to do i would like it if you all can help me with the most information as possible as far as the right lawyers, franchises who want to expand and laws in new york about alcohol sale.

37. david on 6/16/2009 7:26:03 PM

I was trying to open a shop out here in the bronx. I have $20,000 to play with. Does anyone know if that's enough? 646.691.0678 dave

38. kyle on 6/17/2009 10:35:56 PM

where is the best location for me to open a liquor store and how much the total will cost for opening it include the equipment.

39. munna on 7/1/2009 8:44:52 AM

hi, my plan is to open a liquor store. what is the total cost to open include everything. any one can help plz

40. David Heyward on 7/1/2009 12:41:47 PM

Hi, i would like to know whats a reasonable cost to start up and what about Liquor license. whats the cost on that. Thanks Dave

41. Peter on 7/10/2009 8:41:37 AM

Hi, I would like to know about terms for having lease for opening liquor store in New York. Can you please help me? Thanks

42. Michael G on 7/14/2009 3:32:24 PM

I've located an existing liquor/Grocery store in Colorado for sale. I'd like to get some idea of a ratio of Liquor - Wine - Beer. Can you direct me to any web sites that can assist me in locating this level of detail. I've purchased existing businesses before but never a liquor operation. Thank you, Michael G

43. Van H. on 7/19/2009 11:13:14 AM

Hi, I would like to open the liquor store in Santa Clara county California. please help me how to get a license and start it up. Thanks Van

44. David Z on 7/20/2009 6:44:59 PM

I've begun tossing the idea of opening a liquor store up in the Northeast Ohio area near Canton. Any idea/tips/useful information, etc. would be a great help.

45. LDB on 7/21/2009 4:21:53 PM

How would I go about obtaining a liquor license in Washington, DC?

46. Lena Pinchbeck on 7/24/2009 1:06:29 PM

I am really wanting to start my own business i want to open up my own liquor store. and i need all the information i can get on i need to know everything about opening up my store i need to know how to get a grant to start. I want to open my store in Louisville Kentucky.

47. Jeannean on 7/27/2009 6:20:33 PM

I would like to start a business and a liquor store is what i want to do as a young lady what steps do i need to take in starting one in the next 2 years and even have a chain of store one day. i want it to be big

48. James Bruns on 7/30/2009 4:19:36 PM

For those looking to buy a liquor store, you can search for liquor stores for sale or any business by area on BizBuySell.com or Bizquest.com.

For those asking about liquor licenses, go to your city government offices and request to fill out an application for a liquor license. These can be costly and can take some time to be approved/declined.

Your best bet is to purchase an existing business instead of starting from scratch, that way the clientele is established and you don't have to mess around with a liquor license (it's already in place!).

49. anubhav aneja on 9/20/2009 9:46:08 AM

i want to take the license of beer shop in east delhi. please revert asap.

50. Debbie Groh on 9/29/2009 11:58:04 AM

I am trying to open a liquor store in Wisconsin and I am trying to find resources on how much it will cost to stock the store initially. I have a tight budget for opening and I want to make sure we have enough for everything.

51. marie on 10/2/2009 2:58:32 AM

how much money do i need to buy a liquor store

52. Katina W. on 10/12/2009 12:14:56 PM

I live in Tulsa, Ok. i'm interested in opening a retail liquor store and would like to know approx how much it will cost to start up...meaning how much will I need to spend on liquor to start

53. Sean on 10/19/2009 5:10:06 AM

Very much crucial and helpful. Thanks

54. rajnish on 10/23/2009 2:05:18 PM

give me state laws for opening the liquor shop

*Name:
*Email:
*Comment:
 
How to Start a Furniture Rental Store   How to Start a School Supply Store

Recent Articles

Small Business Articles

Home Based Business

Shop Business Ideas

Store Business Opportunities

Startup Company Ideas

Service Business Ideas

Farming Business Ideas